Building Biblical Theology - thirdmill.org · Moses David o New Testament Christ 3. New Direction (25:03) New Testament biblical theologians have tended to treat the entire period

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© 2013 by Third Millennium Ministries

www.thirdmill.org

Building Biblical

Theology

Lesson Guide

For videos, manuscripts, and other resources, visit Third Millennium Ministries at thirdmill.org.

LESSON

FOUR

CONTOURS OF NEW

TESTAMENT BIBLICAL

THEOLOGY

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Building Biblical Theology

Lesson 4: Contours of New Testament Biblical Theology © 2010 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org

CONTENTS

HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE ......................................................................... 3

NOTES ............................................................................................................................... 4

I. INTRODUCTION (0:23)........................................................................................... 4

II. ORIENTATION (4:19) .............................................................................................. 4

A. Twofold Revelation (5:02) .................................................................................. 4

B. Theological Structures (8:07) ............................................................................. 5

1. Basic-Level Structures (9:17) ......................................................................... 6

2. Middle-Level Structures (12:27) ..................................................................... 6

3. Complex-Level Structures (14:36) ................................................................. 6

C. Diachronic Developments (17:19) ...................................................................... 7

1. Diachronic Character (18:13) ......................................................................... 7

2. Obstacles (20:08) ............................................................................................ 7

3. New Direction (25:03) .................................................................................... 9

III. DEVELOPMENTS IN ESCHATOLOGY (28:44) ................................................. 10

A. Traditional (29:50) ............................................................................................ 10

B. Old Testament (33:11) ...................................................................................... 11

1. Adam (34:18) ................................................................................................ 11

2. Noah (35:55) ................................................................................................. 11

3. Abraham (37:01) ........................................................................................... 11

4. Moses (38:13) ............................................................................................... 12

5. David (42:30) ................................................................................................ 13

C. Early Christian Eschatology (51:34) ................................................................. 14

1. First-Century Judaism (51:53) ...................................................................... 15

2. John and Jesus (55:19) .................................................................................. 16

IV. NEW TESTAMENT ESCHATOLOGY (1:03:14) ................................................. 18

A. Importance (1:04:31) ........................................................................................ 18

B. Christology (1:10:37) ........................................................................................ 19

1. Systematic Theology (1:11:05) ..................................................................... 19

2. Biblical Theology (1:11:54) .......................................................................... 19

C. Soteriology (1:18:20) ........................................................................................ 21

1. Systematic Theology (1:18:40) ..................................................................... 21

2. Biblical Theology (1:21:43) .......................................................................... 23

V. CONCLUSION (1:29:27) ........................................................................................ 24

REVIEW QUESTIONS ................................................................................................. 25

APPLICATION QUESTIONS ...................................................................................... 30

GLOSSARY..................................................................................................................... 31

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HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE

This lesson guide is designed for use in conjunction with the associated video. If you do

not have access to the video, the lesson guide will also work with the audio and/or text

versions of the lesson. Additionally, the video and lesson guide are intended to be used in

a learning community, but they also can be used for individual study if necessary.

Before you watch the lesson

o Prepare — Complete any recommended readings.

o Schedule viewing — The Notes section of the lesson guide has been

divided into segments that correspond to the video. Using the time codes

found in parentheses beside each major division, determine where to begin

and end your viewing session. IIIM lessons are densely packed with

information, so you may also want to schedule breaks. Breaks should be

scheduled at major divisions.

While you are watching the lesson

o Take notes — The Notes section of the lesson guide contains a basic

outline of the lesson, including the time codes for the beginning of each

segment and key notes to guide you through the information. Many of the

main ideas are already summarized, but make sure to supplement these

with your own notes. You should also add supporting details that will help

you to remember, describe, and defend the main ideas.

o Record comments and questions — As you watch the video, you may

have comments and/or questions on what you are learning. Use the

margins to record your comments and questions so that you can share

these with the group following the viewing session.

o Pause/replay portions of the lesson — You may find it helpful to pause

or replay the video at certain points in order to write additional notes,

review difficult concepts, or discuss points of interest.

After you watch the lesson

o Complete Review Questions — Review Questions are based on the basic

content of the lesson. You should answer Review Questions in the space

provided. These questions should be completed individually rather than in

a group.

o Answer/discuss Application Questions — Application Questions are

questions relating the content of the lesson to Christian living, theology,

and ministry. Application questions are appropriate for written

assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it

is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.

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Notes

I. Introduction (0:23)

The Old Testament raises questions, problems, and hopes, but the answers,

resolutions and fulfillments appear in the New Testament.

There are many similarities between the ways biblical theology approaches both

testaments, but there are also significant differences.

II. Orientation (4:19)

To get at the heart of New Testament biblical theology, we can compare and

contrast it with what we have learned about Old Testament biblical theology.

A. Twofold Revelation (5:02)

Old Testament biblical theology and New Testament biblical theology

have a mutual interest in God’s twofold revelation:

act revelations

o Christ’s earthly ministry

o Holy Spirit in early church

o Return of Christ

Notes



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word revelations

o God the Father

o Christ

o Angels and humans, by the Spirit

Temporal associations of act and word revelations:

subsequent

simultaneous

antecedent

B. Theological Structures (8:07)

Old Testament and New Testament biblical theology share similar ideas of

theological structures.

Notes



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1. Basic-Level Structures (9:17)

Example:

Matthew 2:1-12 (Jesus birth and the magi)

Matthew 2:16-18 (Jesus birth and Herod)

2. Middle-Level Structures (12:27)

One of the most important moderately complex theological

structures is the covenantal arrangement of New Testament

theology.

3. Complex-Level Structures (14:36)

The most complex and comprehensive theological structure of the

New Testament is the kingdom of God.

Notes



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C. Diachronic Developments (17:19)

One major contrast between Old and New Testament biblical theology is

the ways biblical theologians have handled diachronic developments.

1. Diachronic Character (18:13)

As New Testament history moved forward, theological structures

underwent diachronic changes.

When Christ appeared, theological concerns shifted toward

understanding how God had begun to pour out his blessings in

Christ.

2. Obstacles (20:08)

New Testament history presents at least three major obstacles to

extensive diachronic analysis:

Short period

o Old Testament — 1600 years

o New Testament — 100 years

Notes



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Similar circumstances

o Old Testament — variety of circumstances:

Patriarchs

Judges

Early monarchy

Later kings and leaders

Exile

Restoration

o New Testament — fairly consistent:

No extreme changes

Consistently marginalized

No tremendous wealth or poverty

No large group travel

No wide scale obedience and disobedience

Notes



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Single covenant

o Old Testament

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

David

o New Testament

Christ

3. New Direction (25:03)

New Testament biblical theologians have tended to treat the entire

period of New Testament history as a whole.

New Testament biblical theologians have focused on the ways

different New Testament authors provided different perspectives

on the entire period.

Notes



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III. Developments in Eschatology (28:44)

Eschatology: the biblical teaching about the last days

To understand why biblical theology has had this emphasis, we must grasp how

the New Testament’s outlook on the last days developed out of earlier viewpoints.

A. Traditional (29:50)

Systematicians have normally discussed the teachings of Scripture in five

major categories:

Theology proper

Anthropology

Soteriology

Ecclesiology

Eschatology

Traditional discussions of eschatology have led to sharp divisions among

believers.

Example: The millennium — Christ’s 1,000 year reign on earth

Notes



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B. Old Testament (33:11)

To understand how New Testament biblical theologians have understood

the last days, we need to become familiar with Old Testament

eschatology.

1. Adam (34:18)

Two crucial elements of Old Testament eschatology:

Humanity was created in God's image

Two groups of people are competing for control of the

world

2. Noah (35:55)

This covenant secured the stability of nature as humanity pursued

God's plan for the world.

3. Abraham (37:01)

God singled out Abraham to be the one through whom he would

carry out his promises given to Adam and Noah.

Notes



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4. Moses (38:13)

Moses’ covenant focused on the law of God as the guide for

Israel’s special service in spreading his kingdom.

The curse of exile:

God’s greatest threat against continuing, flagrant violation

of his law was a national exile from the Promised Land.

o Deuteronomy 4:27-28

Blessing of restoration:

Despite Israel’s future exile, God would not give up on

Israel as his special people.

o Deuteronomy 4:30-31

o Deuteronomy 30:5

One key feature of Moses’ eschatology is the way he

described this time of Israel’s repentance and restoration to

the land.

o Deuteronomy 4:30: “later days”

Notes



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5. David (42:30)

United Monarchy

David’s descendants and Jerusalem with its temple played a

central role in Israel’s understanding of the end times.

o Psalm 72:8-11

o Psalm 72:17-19

Earlier Prophets

Israel’s earlier prophets explained further how the

conditions of David’s house would relate to the last days.

The prophets declared that in the restoration, a great son of

David would become the focus of a new order.

o Amos 9:11-12

o Isaiah 2:2

o Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10

Notes



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Later Prophets

God’s involvement in history brought about at least two

major shifts to the Old Testament concept of the last days:

o The time of exile was extended because the

Israelites did not repent of their sins.

o God showed great mercy to his people by giving

them the opportunity to shorten their exile.

Old Testament eschatology developed diachronically.

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

David

C. Early Christian Eschatology (51:34)

The doctrine of the last days developed even further in New Testament

times.

Notes



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1. First-Century Judaism (51:53)

The vast majority of Jews in the first century held to views of the

last days that resembled those of the Old Testament.

Twofold view of history:

This age (their current circumstances)

The age to come (time of future glory for Israel)

Many religious factions held different views on how the transition

from “this age” to “the age to come” would take place:

Apocalyptic Sects

Zealots

Nomists

Most Jews

Notes



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2. John and Jesus (55:19)

Major diachronic developments in eschatology took place in the

ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus.

John:

preached that the arrival of “the last days” was near

associated God’s reign and “the last days”

Isaiah 52:7-10

believed the last stage of history would come through the

Messiah acting quickly and decisively

Luke 3:9

identified Jesus as the Messiah

Notes



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Jesus:

affirmed that he was in the process of fulfilling the

prophecies of the last days

Luke 7:22-23

declared that the age to come was not going to appear as

expected

Matthew 13-25 — Three phases:

o First coming (Inauguration)

o Grow for an indefinite period of time

(Continuation)

o Return in glory (Consummation)

Biblical theologians often refer to this as:

o “already, but not yet”

o “now, but not yet”

o “overlap of the ages”

o “inaugurated eschatology”

Notes



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IV. New Testament Eschatology (1:03:14)

Biblical theology has brought to light some of the basic outlooks of New

Testament authors.

A. Importance (1:04:31)

Biblical theologians have demonstrated that every New Testament

teaching was shaped by Jesus’ three-phase view of the last days.

Jesus’ teaching about the last days represented one of the most decisive

ways in which Christians had broken with first century Judaism.

New Testament authors spoke of the entire New Testament period as “the

last days.”

Hebrews 1:1-2 (days of Jesus and his apostles)

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (extended period of church history)

John 6:39 (consummation of the kingdom at Christ’s

return)

Notes



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B. Christology (1:10:37)

Definition: The doctrine of Christ

New Testament Christology presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s

eschatological hopes.

1. Systematic Theology (1:11:05)

Systematicians focus on:

Trinity

Hypostatic union

Humiliation

Exaltation

Atonement

Offices of Christ

2. Biblical Theology (1:11:54)

Biblical theologians stress that New Testament authors presented

Christ as the one in whom every Old Testament hope found

fulfillment.

Luke 24:26-27 (road to Emmaus)

Notes



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Jesus was the centerpiece of New Testament eschatology.

Christ as the fulfillment of all Old Testament types:

Adam → Jesus

Noah → Jesus

Abraham → Jesus

Moses → Jesus

David → Jesus

Notes



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Different ways Jesus fulfills Old Testament hopes:

Inauguration Continuation Consummation

Adam

Noah

Abraham

Moses

David

C. Soteriology (1:18:20)

Definition: The doctrine of salvation

1. Systematic Theology (1:18:40)

Historia salutis: the history of salvation

Accomplishment of salvation in objective history

o Atonement

Notes



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o Resurrection

o Ascension

o Return

Systematicians have concentrated most of their attention on ordo

salutis.

Ordo salutis: the order of salvation

Subjective application of salvation to individuals

o Regeneration

o Repentance

o Faith

o Justification

o Sanctification

o Glorification

Notes



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2. Biblical Theology (1:21:43)

New Testament biblical theology looks at the doctrine of salvation

from the vantage point of Jesus’ three-phase eschatology.

Historia salutis

The application of salvation is always understood within

the framework of Jesus’ three phases of eschatology:

o Inauguration: joined to what Christ accomplished

during the inauguration of the last days

Romans 8:24 (already occurred)

o Continuation: joined to what Christ is

accomplishing during the continuation of the last

days

1 Corinthians 1:18 (current, ongoing reality)

Notes



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o Consummation: joined to what Christ will

accomplish at the consummation of the last days

Romans 5:9 (still to occur)

Ordo salutis

Example: Glorification

o Romans 8:29-30 (already occurred)

o 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ongoing reality)

o 2 Timothy 2:10 (future)

V. Conclusion (1:29:27)

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Review Questions

1. Explain how the twofold concept of act and word revelation has characterized

biblical theology of the New Testament.

2. Describe the three different levels of structure in the New Testament and give an

example for each.

Review Questions



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3. In what ways do New Testament biblical theologians differ from Old Testament

biblical theologians in regard to the way they handle diachronic developments?

4. What is eschatology and how has this subject traditionally been approached by

systematic theologians?

Review Questions



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5. How does becoming familiar with the background of Old Testament eschatology

help us understand diachronic developments in New Testament eschatology?

6. What outlooks on the “last days” were held by most first-century Jews, and what

effect did the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus have on these views?

Review Questions



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7. Why were New Testament authors so preoccupied with Jesus’ three-phase

eschatology? How does this three-phase eschatology represent a decisive break

between first-century Judaism and Christianity?

8. What is Christology and how do systematic theologians and biblical theologians

differ in their emphases regarding this discipline?

Review Questions



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9. Explain the doctrine of soteriology. What is the traditional view of soteriology,

and how have biblical theologians understood soteriology in new ways?

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Application Questions

1. How does your understanding of the kingdom of God shape the way you do your

ministry? In what ways might your ministry change by applying the concept of

God’s kingdom to all aspects of life?

2. This lesson suggests that different New Testament authors provided different

perspectives on Christ and the entire New Testament era. How do we explain

these differences to those who claim that the authors of the New Testament

contradicted each other?

3. How can understanding the eschatology of the New Testament improve the way

you preach or lead Bible studies?

4. How does the fact that we are living in the continuation of an inaugurated

kingdom cause us to expect victories for God’s kingdom in the present time?

What would those victories look like?

5. How does the fact that we have not yet reached the consummation of the kingdom

of God help us deal with the suffering that we still experience in our lives?

6. In what ways should we live like we are in the last days?

7. How does the fact that Jesus is the fulfillment of every Old Testament hope affect

the way we should study and preach from the Old Testament?

8. Take a moment to read Romans 8:18-25 and note all the references to the

inauguration, continuation and consummation of the kingdom of God. What

teaching points could you make from this passage in all three stages of the

kingdom?

9. What is the most significant insight you have learned from this study?

10. After finishing this series, what areas of biblical theology would you like to study

further?



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Glossary

apocalyptic/apocalypticists – Name given to

first-century Jewish sects that expected God to

intervene quickly and catastrophically to destroy

their enemies and establish the age to come

biblical theology – Theological reflection drawn

from the historical analysis of acts of God

reported in Scripture

christology – The study and doctrine of the

person and work of Jesus Christ

Cyrus – Persian emperor from 559-530 B.C.

who decreed that the Israelites could return to the

Promised Land

diachronic development – The ways Old

Testament theology transformed, changed, or

developed over time

eschatological – Having to do with the study or

doctrine of the last days

eschatology – The study or doctrine of the last

days

eschaton – The last stage of world history; the

last or latter days

historia salutis – Theological term meaning

“history of salvation”; the ways God

accomplished the salvation of his people in

history

inaugurated eschatology – View of the end

times that says the age to come has begun (been

"inaugurated"), but hasn't yet come in all its

fullness; the "already, not yet"

new covenant – The covenant of fulfillment in

Christ; first mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31

Nomists – First century Jewish sect that believed

God would not intervene to establish his

kingdom until Israel had become obedient to the

Law of Moses

ordo salutis – Theological term meaning “order

of salvation”; the order by which salvation is

applied to individual believers

soteriology – The doctrine of salvation

systematic theology/systematics – A

theological discipline that seeks to give a rational

and orderly presentation of the doctrinal truths of

Christianity

testament – An agreement or will; used in the

Bible as a synonym for "covenant"

the age to come – Phrase used by rabbis and

leaders in Israel to describe the future age of

righteousness, love, joy and peace that would

follow the exile; time when all of God's purposes

for history would be fulfilled

this age – Phrase used by rabbis and leaders in

Israel to describe the present age of sin, suffering

and death

Zealots – First-century Jewish sect that believed

God would usher in the age to come only when

the Jews rose up militarily against the Roman

rulers

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Building Biblical Theology - thirdmill.org · Moses David o New Testament Christ 3. New Direction (25:03) New Testament biblical theologians have tended to treat the entire period